Still in the stratosphere continued

I thought it was a simple case of bidding on, just because it’ll be cheap. And I assume, if you decide to bid on that it should be in hearts…why reveal the double fit? Perhaps it’ll make it harder for them to bid on if slam happens to be the right level for them.

This is the whole deal:

Victoria State Pairs Final
Board 26
Dealer East
Both Vul

NORTH

AKQ8635102AK74

WEST

5AJ10964AJ5Q86

EAST

72K72KQ987639

SOUTH

J1094Q834J10532

I asked Neil Ewart what he and Blaine Howe did on the hand, they having won the State Pairs, and he commented:

“It went 3D from Traian and 3H from Dan – I bid 4S and in pass out seat Dan bid 5D. I took the push to 5S and Traian led a low heart which Dan won – he cashed the ace of diamonds and and exited with a heart. I played spades so now was pretty sure Traian was a 2371, cashed the Club ace and took the hook.

In retrospect I think Dan’s 3H was uncharacteristically naïve because he knows a spade bid is coming fast. A direct 5D bid would have been better. It might be harder for me to get the count without the low heart lead.’

I must say, although it seemed obvious to me to bid to the six level on the way out, I was obviously prepared to be chicken on the way in: I suggested 4D. Pusillanimous?